Derry R/T, Windham R/T, Salem Bike Path, New Hampshire

August 20, 2019

We packed and moved on from Boston Minuteman Campground to take our first ride in New Hampshire. We parked at the Winham Trailhead and rode north on the Derry Rail Trail.

This took us into the quaint New England town of Derry. The paved part of the trail ended in Hood Park where there was parking and a large pond for fishing. The trail was mostly forested with areas of wetlands. We saw many of the stone walls tumbling into the forest.

Boston and Maine C-16 caboose near Windham Trailhead.

Lunch at restored 1849 Windham Depot. From here we continued our ride on the Winham R/T.

Landen really enjoys our traditional PB&J lunches.

The Windham R/T travels thru shaded forests, marshes and wetlands. Much of the trail is on a raised railroad bed which we really enjoy. The raised railroad bed enables good views of woods, wetlands and valleys below. We both agree that this was our favorite ride in New England so far.

Riding thru these areas of cutout stone the temperature would drop at least 10 degrees. Unfortunately the mosquito population in these areas was overwhelming.

A closer look at one of the cutout areas.

One of the many stone walls we saw along the trail. I am really fascinated by these gray walls. They are everywhere on the backroads and trails here. They date back to when the pioneers began clear cutting the New England forests.

It’s good to have begun our New Hampshire miles. There are so many trails here but most are gravel, dirt, cinder, ballast, sand or some combination of these. We are sticking to asphalt and cement while having Landen on tow!!